“Frankenstein” // ‘Creative Response’ to Text S.A.C.
The Clashes of Romance and Enlightenment — A Recount of Victor Frankenstein from Professor Waldman's Perspective.
This refulgent morning, fervour memories of the past washed over me like a soothing breeze, when this familiar student strutted before my eyes. I pondered to myself, is he still the same curious boy? At first sight, I did not recognise this young man, whom attended my lecture. But whilst he was with me, I could see through his dauntless eyes that he was a passionate young man, his countenance displayed an infallible guarantee to the future disciple of science. As soon as the lecture had terminated, the young man approached me and requested my advice concerning the books he ought
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Even at this age, I still remember the first time Victor, entered my laboratory. It was the time when the Ingolstadt University was just recently built. Only a few weeks after its completion, a science day was to be held. Both these events were responsible by none other than Alphonse Frankenstein. At that time, there was not a single soul that did not know his name. He was a very omnipotent and caring person as, his reason in creating the university was to help the younger generation and assure a stable future for them. The reason behind the science day for kids was so his son, Victor, could experience science at a young age. Victor Frankenstein's first step, first look, first presence enlightened the laboratory, as if God sent himself to Earth in a human form. During the kids science day, I paid special attention to Victor and welcomed him into the world of science, not to mention he was fascinated already and knew more knowledge than any other child I have ever …show more content…
At the end of the day, his father came to pick him up and thanked me for hosting the day. I was overwhelmed, to think that a famous person like himself thanked me. When he said "I can now safely leave this university in your hands" I felt like crying because deep inside, I knew that I should be the one thanking him for offering me this position. After that day, Alphonse and Victor Frankenstein often came to visit the university. During my experiments, and I was in a disconsolate situation, Victor had suggested a unique perspective and when I tried it, the experiment succeeded. Before I realised, a warm filial had spawned between us. It also came to my attention that when he was around I made rapid progression with my studies. I believed and still believe that he would be the hero of the new science era that has already arrived. It was without doubt, fate from the celestial Gods that had bought us
Victor Frankenstein finds himself exploring the world of science where “it was the secret of heaven and earth… the outward substance of things or the inner spirits of nature and the mysterious soul of man” that attracted him (Shelley 18). Victor thirst for knowledge comes from his study of chemistry with a zeal for the antiquated world of alchemy. It was the alchemy books that convinces him to go beyond what the normal human limits can do, that is, the answer to life. Through the books he thrives on learning about natural science and looked upon the alchemists works and “took their word for all that they averred, and became their disciple” (Shelley 25). His readings direct him toward the study of forbidden knowledge which ultimately set him up for failure as he became addicted to create life to the point where he robbed graveyards for limbs and committing many unholy acts to create his monster. His unchecked ambition proves to have devastating consequences as his irresponsibility causes the death of those he loves most and he himself falls under the ascendancy of his own
In this Essay I shall explore the reasons for Victor Frankenstein’s emotional turmoil in chapters 9 and 10 and look at how some events in Mary Shelley’s life mirrors some events in the book. I will also look at a few of the themes running through Frankenstein. Such as religion, parenting, hate, revenge, guilt and compassion.
Frankenstein, a novel first published in the year 1818, stands as the most talked about work of Mary Shelley’s literary career. She was just nineteen years old when she penned this novel, and throughout her lifetime she could not produce any other work that surpasses this novel in terms of creativity and vision. In this novel, Shelley found an outlet for her own intense sense of victimization, and her desperate struggle for love. Traumatized by her failed childbirth incidents, troubled childhood, and scandalous courtship, many of Shelley’s life experiences can be seen reflected in the novel. When discussing the character and development of the monster, Shelley launches an extensive discussion on the
Victor Frankenstein grew up in a typical “perfect” family, with loving parents and siblings, of whom he loved, maybe. All of the love surrounding him leads him to decide to place himself in solitude. Victor describes his new house and laboratory ,“In a solitary chamber, or
He is in constant refusal of responsibility, and ends up essentially plaguing not only his life, but also the lives around him. After constructing and animating the creature, he’s in a flux never ending negative emotions. The creation gets turned into a monster both physically and mentally. Frankenstein describes the horrors that come along with scientific experimentation, and the pursuit of science unavoidably leading to tragedy. The novel presents insights that are just as valid today as when the novel was written in the 19th century. Dr. Frankenstein makes a scientific breakthrough in his creation of the monster, but at what cost? This novel shows us the dangers of attempting to find something we are simply unprepared to manage. Victor’s urges to truly learn the secret of making life completely blinds him to the consequences of achieving such a feat. This book also shows that our ethical (or unethical) actions have the potential to hurt not only ourselves, but also others around us.
Victor Frankenstein is the first character in the novel. His life starts in a wealthy and noble family and after some time decides to attend the University of Ingolstadt to study sciences. Victor becomes so obsessed with his studies that “the stars often appeared in the light of morning whilst I was yet engaged in my laboratory”, (30). Studying night and day, Victor eventually “made some discoveries in the improvement of some chemical instruments”, a contribution that undoubtedly led to improvements in the science and medical aspects of the 19th century (31). However, the main focus of Victor’s compulsive studies comes later in the novel when he creates the creature. He grasped for the idea of creating a living human frame from scratch: a concept that had never tested
During M. Waldman’s lecture, Frankenstein says, “… I felt as if my soul were grappling with a palpable enemy; one by one the various keys were touched which formed the mechanism of my being; chord after chord was sounded, and soon my mind was filled with one thought, one conception, one purpose.” By using personification, imagery, and a metaphor, Shelley displays that Frankenstein has finally found the last note to the chord. Frankenstein, from Waldman, has now heard of the remarkable discoveries from the philosophers that he grew up admiring. This makes him engrossed in wanting to pursue chemistry because he now has validation that these philosophers were valuable to the advancement of science. The audience, through Shelley’s figurative language, can not only perceive a picture both visually and audibly, but they can also more easily understand Frankenstein’s thoughts and emotions.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein like all texts is far from neutral, acting as a site to challenge and/or endorse certain ideologies. Published in the 19th century, it follows the journey of three characters amidst the influence and conflict of extreme Romantic and Enlightenment ideologies. Mary Shelley experienced much heartbreak, suicide and sorrow with the intense Romantic lifestyle she had chosen to adopt with Percy Shelley and it can be argued that Frankenstein is a critique of radicalism as revealed by her comment ‘I earnestly desire the good and enlightenment of my fellow creatures... but I am not for going to violent extremes, which duly bring injurious reaction…I have no wish to ally myself with Radicals - they are full of repulsion to
When Victor traveled to Ingolstadt to attend the university, he delved deeper into the sciences, specifically chemistry. Resulting from the profound involvement, and concentration Victor devoted to his studies, he began to lose contact with family, friends, and later, his professors. Victor labored arduously over his experiments and “two years passed in this manner, during which I paid no visit to Geneva” (Shelley 55). It became apparent that Victor’s research consumed him; his commitment to science eliminated the opportunity and will for social endeavors, or even communication with his family. If Victor were to encounter a problematic outcome with his studies, which would soon occur, he would have no prospect of receiving help. Although the effect of isolation was weighing down on Victor’s sanity, he was not the sole recipient of this loneliness. Victor’s experiments produced a monster, and Victor neglected his responsibility as a creator and left his creation to its own devices. The monster suffered from the symptoms of a solitary lifestyle, similar to the one led by Victor himself. Ultimately, the scientist realizes the hideousness of the result of his experiment and abruptly abandons the monster. The monster quickly becomes deadly to those surrounding Victor and he realizes he must pursue and destroy his creation. Victor’s health rapidly deteriorated during his pursuit of the
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein explores the concepts of knowledge and science and the dangers involved with the pursuit and investigation of these ideas. The novel conveys Shelley’s attitudes towards science by portraying it as having the capability to exceed the bounds of human restraint. Through the development of her protagonist Victor Frankenstein, the romantic and gothic aspects of her novel, the period of 1818 and the influences of the world she was living in that
"The faults of Frankenstein were the occasional extravagance and overwriting;... everything is cold, crude, inconsecutive, and wearisome; -- not one flash of imagination, not one spark of passion.” (Knights Quarterly Review 1824). These words from an unknown man have sparked a literary debate. Moreover, these words dive into the opinions of whoever reads Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein, and makes the reader formulate his own opinion on the literary work. The critic is correct in some matters of the quote, yet in others, he could not be further from the truth.
Both Victor and Frankenstein have curiosity about the world around them. Victor leaves both his family and friends and goes away to a college institution to study science. At the college Victor finds his new passion for science and Victor works diligently to create a new form of a living being. Victor becomes so dedicated to creating the monster that he loses his insight to the entire world. Victors dedication to creation and science
I like this part of the book especially because of the message it delivers and the situation it embodies for many people. He becomes enlightened by nonconformity and realizes that there is hope to become an innovator and negate stigmas about science and experimentation; this becomes his mission, no matter how much the possibility of theories, such as abiogenesis, have been ridiculed. Victor becomes so devoted to his creation, that he pledges “A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me.” (ch.4) “So much has been done, exclaimed the soul of Frankenstein — more, far more, will I achieve; treading in the steps already marked, I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation.” (ch. 5) He romanticizes the thought of generating life, as a possible means of divine satisfaction, which would meet his destiny later. Although Victor’s morals and situation in this book are far more grotesque than those of present-day lives, this
Frankenstein removes himself from friends, family and society in order to absolve himself from responsibility of morals. Through efforts to maintain control and an acute fascination, Frankenstein alienates himself at an early age in the name of science. Victor is not entirely ignorant of the dangers of his self-satisfying obsession as he first regrettably reflects, “I was, to a great degree, self-taught with regard to my favorite studies. My father was not scientific, and I was left to struggle with a child’s blindness, added to a student’s thirst for knowledge” (Shelley 28). Rather than recognizing that his isolation is self-induced, Victor blames his alienation on his father’s ignorance. By controlling his relationships, he gains greater confidence in his own abilities, instead of relying on others’ companionship. Notably, evidence for Victor’s disregard toward “domestic affection” is reintroduced as he remarks, “I must absent myself from all I loved while thus employed. Once commenced, it would quickly be achieved, and I might be restored to my family in peace and happiness” (Shelley 138). With selfishness at the core, Victor controls his chaos by distancing himself temporarily, so that he might reunite with his family at a later date. He is being inundated by the common belief that glorious scientific achievement comes at the cost of moral and ethical sacrifice. Victor justifies his self-alienation by means of the creature; however readers
Romantic writer Mary Shelley’s gothic novel Frankenstein does indeed do a lot more than simply tell story, and in this case, horrify and frighten the reader. Through her careful and deliberate construction of characters as representations of certain dominant beliefs, Shelley supports a value system and way of life that challenges those that prevailed in the late eighteenth century during the ‘Age of Reason’. Thus the novel can be said to be challenging prevailant ideologies, of which the dominant society was constructed, and endorsing many of the alternative views and thoughts of the society. Shelley can be said to be influenced by her mothers early feminist views, her father’s